Travel sector in line to benefit from WeChat's new service

WeChat has launched a new initiative called "Mini Programs" which could see travel having an enhanced presence on China's biggest messaging platform.

The service allows third parties - including OTAS, airlines and hotels - to build "light" apps which operate entirely within the WeChat platform and do not need to be installed.

Coverage of the announcement from China Travel News says that travel could be one of the sectors to benefit the most, as travel apps tend to be used less frequently than others. The ability for consumers to access the functionality of an app without having to download it onto a device will resonate with users who don't want their smartphones filled up with apps that are rarely used.

WeChat's 2016 Data Report reveals that, at the end of September, it had 768 million daily logged in users, 50% of whom used WeChat for more than 90 minutes a day.